We live in an era of information abundance — but abundance does not mean accuracy. Social media platforms deliver news, opinions, memes, and manipulated content at a speed that makes critical evaluation genuinely difficult. In moments of crisis — a pandemic, a war, a political crisis — the volume increases further, and the stakes of believing false information become very high. 

Research consistently shows that false information spreads faster and further online than accurate information. A 2018 MIT study found that false news stories were 70% more likely to be shared than true ones — and reached their audience six times faster. The reason? False stories tend to be more emotionally provocative, surprising, and shareable than careful, nuanced reporting. 

Before watching, make sure you understand these three key distinctions: 

•       Misinformation: false content shared without the intent to deceive — the person sharing it genuinely believes it is true. 

•       Disinformation: false content spread deliberately to mislead or manipulate public opinion — intentional and often coordinated. 

•       Malinformation: content that is technically true but shared with the intent to harm — for example, leaking someone's private information publicly. 

In the PBS NewsHour video, student reporters share their own experience identifying misinformation online. As you watch, focus on these questions: 

•       What types of misinformation are most common online, according to the student reporters? 

•       Why do fact-checkers and journalists struggle to keep up with misinformation once it starts spreading? 

•       What practical steps do the students suggest for checking whether something is true before sharing it? 

•       Have you ever shared something online that turned out to be false or misleading? What would you do differently now? 

WATCH: How to Spot Misinformation Online – PBS NewsHour

PBS NewsHour